AUTHOR=Han Biao , Baruah Kartik , Cox Eric , Vanrompay Daisy , Bossier Peter 

TITLE=Structure-Functional Activity Relationship of β-Glucans From the Perspective of Immunomodulation: A Mini-Review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00658

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2020.00658

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>β-Glucans are a heterogeneous group of glucose polymers with a common structure comprising a main chain of β-(1,3) and/or β-(1,4)-glucopyranosyl units, along with side chains with various branches and lengths. β-Glucans initiate immune responses via immune cells, which become activated by the binding of the polymer to specific receptors. However, β-glucans from different sources also differ in their structure, conformation, physical properties, binding affinity to receptors, and thus biological functions. The mechanisms behind this are not fully understood. This mini-review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date commentary on the relationship between β-glucans' structure and function in relation to their use for immunomodulation.</p>